Chapter 209 – My Little Classroom (1)

Yu Sein asked.

“If you had to choose between two things, which would you pick?”

“……?”

Abel was stunned for a moment. What was a “choice game”? It was when two options held similar weight, and you were forced to choose between them. In other words, if the options weren’t balanced, the game didn’t work.

But this time, the options were.

A relationship with Kang Geom-Ma vs. The end of the world.

If it had been the usual Abel, she would’ve frowned and said something sarcastic.

It wasn’t that one option had more value than the other… they were just completely incompatible. From the start, the premise of the game was broken.

However, that wasn’t what left Abel speechless. What truly unsettled her was how ominous the second option sounded.

The end of the world.

In a world invaded by demons and magical beasts, those words carried enormous weight. After all, 700 years ago, humanity had already been on the brink of collapse once.

Even as a joke, no one dared say something so foreboding.

Don’t they say words shape reality? This was a world where magic and blessings existed. Here, even a simple sentence could hold power. Abel believed that too.

And yet, Sein had casually thrown that out as part of a game. Even as a joke, this was going too far. And yet…

The way Sein looked at her was deadly serious. There wasn’t a trace of sarcasm. That sincere gaze left Abel blank.

“…….”

Silence spread around them. After a moment, Sein gave a faint smile. Then she dusted herself off and stood up.

“Now I understand just how much you like my cousin. If you’re even willing to hesitate in the face of the end of the world…”

Hearing that, Abel thought was it that little pause that caused the misunderstanding? Did Sein think she was taking it that seriously? In reality, she had just been too stunned to speak.

Sein had completely misinterpreted the situation. She thought Abel was willing to choose Kang Geom-Ma even if it meant the world’s destruction. It wasn’t entirely wrong—but it wasn’t right either.

Abel wanted to explain. But Sein spoke again, her eyes smiling.

“If you care about him that much, then I’ll do my best too—to make sure the world doesn’t end. Even if I have to pay a steep price to those ‘above.’ After all, my fate is to protect the happiness of the ‘one from beyond.’”

Abel didn’t understand a word. Those above? One from beyond? Happiness? She vaguely assumed Sein belonged to some kind of organization. Beyond that, she was lost.

‘Why is she telling me all this out of nowhere?’

Sein’s tone sounded more like a farewell than a casual chat. Like she was leaving behind her final words.

Uneasy, Abel asked in a stammer. Her tongue didn’t quite obey her.

“W-wait. I don’t get it. What was all that supposed to mean?”

Sein smiled faintly and answered.

“You’ll know soon. Actually, it would’ve been better if you never knew. But things have gotten too complicated. So there’s no choice—you’ll find out, whether you want to or not.”

“……?!”

With that, Sein turned and began walking, retracing the exact path she had taken.

Abel wanted to reach out to stop her, but couldn’t. It felt like a chilling force was holding her back.

Sein raised her head. The stars shimmered in the dark sky like sharp eyes. And it felt like every one of them was staring at her.

And in Abel’s eyes, it was as if Sein was bearing all those gazes on her shoulders. That thought filled her chest with sadness and sympathy.

“Yu Sein… you and Kang Geom-Ma’s family… what on earth are you hiding…?”

Abel murmured, still unaware of the future that strange conversation would bring.

***

At the same time, in a hotel near Joaquin Academy—

Kojima stood beside a floor-to-ceiling window.

The hotel suite was spacious enough to host dozens of guests, yet it had been reserved for him alone.

With one hand behind his back and a glass of whiskey in the other, Kojima slowly swirled the drink.

“You failed to persuade him, didn’t you, Hina?”

Saki Hina, standing behind him, flinched as her eyelids trembled.

“…Yes. My apologies for disappointing you.”

She swallowed hard, steadied her voice, and continued.

“Heavenly Sword Kang Geom-Ma isn’t just physically exceptional—his mental fortitude is far too advanced. My blessing had no effect. I believe external means won’t work on him…”

Though she tried to appear calm, her legs were shaking, barely supporting her.

“I see. You may go.”

At Kojima’s command, Hina’s face stiffened. Knowing his temperament, it wouldn’t be surprising if he lashed out coldly.

“Y-yes, Prime Minister. Have a good night.”

Despite her unease, Hina bowed deeply and left the room quickly.

Silence enveloped the grand suite. Kojima took a sip of whiskey. Perhaps from the bitterness, he muttered under his breath.

“How much longer do you intend to hide?”

No sooner had he spoken than a shadow slipped down from the ceiling. The dark mass gradually took human form, chuckling.

“Heh… Even with my Crow’s Blessing at full strength, you saw through me immediately. You truly are something else, Kojima. Had I stayed a moment longer, I’d have taken an arrow to the brow.”

It was Altair, head of the Auditore family. Stroking his beard, he stepped closer. Kojima replied with icy disdain.

“How odd. A man of your wisdom barging into my room. Is old age dulling your senses?”

Even considering their ranks, Kojima’s tone was openly contemptuous. Altair was at least seven years older and held comparable status. As the leader of the Shadow Family, he commanded great respect.

But Altair only chuckled. After all, he was the one intruding.

“Consider it an assassin’s habit. I hope you’ll forgive me.”

Despite the courtesy, Altair rubbed his chin familiarly. Kojima frowned.

“Even habits must have limits. Cross them, and there are consequences. Let’s skip the chit-chat. Why are you here? Did Siegfried send you?”

“I’m afraid not. The Auditore family is a house of order. We don’t act on others’ commands—we move by our own judgment.”

“Then explain why you’ve trespassed into a national leader’s quarters. Choose your words carefully, unless you want this to escalate.”

At Kojima’s threat, Altair’s pleasant smile vanished.

“Rumors are spreading. That you plan to seize control of the Hero Association.”

“…….”

Ice clinked softly in the glass. The whiskey’s aroma had mellowed.

“If those rumors are true… wouldn’t that be overreaching? You’re already a Seven Star Hero and the leader of a nation. Now you want the Association too? That’s too much.”

Kojima downed his drink in one gulp and answered bluntly.

“Baseless rumors.”

“You know what they say—where there’s smoke, there’s fire.”

“Let’s say it were true. So what? If the seat’s been vacant nearly ten years, why shouldn’t I take it?”

“The world has its order, Kojima. Changseong is the strongest candidate now. For someone like you to interfere—”

Kojima chuckled coldly.

“Richard of Mura? That man acts more with brawn than brains. He’s unfit for the role.”

“Even if true, that’s not for you to decide.”

“Did you come here just to play word games?”

“Not at all.”

Altair’s eyes flashed dangerously.

“I came to warn you, Kojima. Do not cross the line. If you do, the Auditores won’t sit idly by. That’s my message.”

Altair turned toward the door. Just before leaving, he added gravely.

“One more piece of advice—stay away from the new Seven Star, the Heavenly Sword.”

Crash. The whiskey glass shattered on the floor, glass flying.

Kojima roared with fury.

“Patriarch! Don’t overstep. How dare you speak to me like that, to Saki Kojima?! You speak of order, yet your words only bring chaos.”

“Order, as it should be, stands equal beneath the heavens.”

Altair tapped his staff on the floor. Shadows stirred around them, shifting.

Shhhh.

In an instant, over thirty presences filled the suite. Assassins—eyes glowing red.

Altair declared.

“And if it’s not order that upholds the sky, then what does?”

“You saying that brat is the sky?”

“They call him the ‘Heavenly Sword.’ I don’t think it’s exaggeration.”

Altair’s eyes glinted coldly.

“So forget your obsession with order, and worry about your own conduct—unless you want your neck sliced into sashimi. Unlike me, Heavenly Sword has no patience.”

***

I returned to Wolf Class after a long time—on Media’s suggestion, to enjoy student life before official ceremonies began.

Honestly, attending “how to be a hero” classes after becoming a Seven Star Hero…

It felt like a general taking soldier training.

Even so, I planned to keep attending whenever possible. I remembered my first master’s words—that school was for bonds, not just knowledge.

That’s why I came with a good attitude. But—

“Kyaaa! It’s the Heavenly Sword! Please, an autograph!”

“I’ve been a fan forever! Can I take a photo with you?”

“Heavenly Sword! Heavenly Sword! Heavenly Sword! Heavenly Sword!”

I froze. There were so many people. Wasn’t there still a minute before class started? At this rate, I wouldn’t even make it inside.

I expected this, but this is absurd.

Students from all classes and years had crowded in. It was so packed I could barely breathe.

And the worst part? Some of the mob were instructors.

I get students being excited—but you guys work here! This is just slacking on the job.

Also, stop chanting “Heavenly Sword” over and over!

My face burned. For someone from Earth, getting called by a nickname like that was embarrassing—straight-up uncomfortable.

I’d just gotten used to my real name, and now I had to carry this pompous title? I wanted to crawl into a hole.

‘This is insane.’

As I sighed amid the crowd, a thunderous voice rang from the entrance. The attention on me dispersed.

“Class is starting! Everyone to your seats!”

It was Instructor Lee Won-bin, proud teacher of Wolf Class. His shiny bald head gleamed—almost blinding.

He scolded the hiding instructors and restored order. The commotion died like it had been doused. Now I understood why people said he held clout among the faculty. No doubt, he was a role model.

Once things settled, Instructor Lee glanced around and approached me cautiously.

“I… Heavenly Sword.”

“Just call me Kang Geom-Ma. At least here at the academy, I’m clearly below you, instructor.”

“……!”

“If even you keep your distance, it’ll be hard for me to keep attending. Please, speak normally.”

His eyes widened—he looked a little moved. I gave a small smile.

“Then…”

He lowered his voice to a whisper and gave a sheepish grin.

“Would it be too much to ask… for an autograph later? My niece’s a big fan. Ah, and—if you don’t mind, I’d like one too, haha.”

The smile on my face instantly collapsed.